The Blues in Transition

On came the Spanish American and World War I. Next, the Depression. Then World War II. Through all the trials and tribulations of the young nation, the Blues lingered on and on. And, with each new period, newly related songs were written. The recorded Blues artist had been heard through artificial means for just a few years. And, Blues artists like Robert Johnson were singing about the problems. The Depression was a favorite subject. Blues singers were not better off with the emergence of the Blues as a business. Money earnings from recordings were minimal. When the Depression began, the Blues flowed northward. In the large cities of the North, Johnson, Son House and others became household names - but, only in black communities. White listeners were far and few. The Blues was, somewhat, still the music of slavery and the uneducated. The phonograph was born and provided preservation of the Blues minstrels of yesteryear. Around this time something major did happen that is still surprising to many. The Library of Congress now realized the value of the Blues artist. John and Alan Lomax, father and son, who were already collecting music in the South, now had the support of the government.

Since these times, the Blues has grown in popularity and in importance within the recording industry. Addtionally, more and more music historians and fans alike, began to realize the importance of preventing the loss of classic Blues artistry. More and more recordings became reality. As the Blues began to grow with this newfound interest, interest began to peak. Blues now was a viable music genre, capable of sustaining itself. It was now emerging from a transition period to a profitable enterprise. And, it was welcome indeed.

The Way to Beale Street